Queen of the 'fro
In 1986, Charlotte Mensah went to work in the UK's first luxury Afro-Caribbean hair salon
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In May 1986, 16-year-old Charlotte Mensah went to work in the UK’s first luxury Afro-Caribbean hair salon, Splinters.
In London’s glamorous Mayfair, Splinters had earned a world-class reputation and hosted the likes of Diana Ross.
Charlotte says it looked more like a five-star hotel than a salon and that its owner, Winston Isaacs expected no less than perfection from all his staff.
Now a giant of the hair care industry in her own right, Charlotte has become known as the 'Queen of the 'fro'.
She tells Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about her roots and how training at the legendary Splinters changed her life.
This programme includes an account of racial bullying.
(Photo: Young Charlotte in the salon. Credit: Charlotte Mensah)